[CAtoCT]

I'm moving from little-known Piedmont, CA (SF Bay) to Fairfield County, CT for a job in Greenwich, CT. We are looking for a coastal town that is all about the kids and their schools. Parent involvement! A tight community with lots of love, education, plus a little sports & beach activity on the weekend is all we seek. We prefer old homes and are in the $1.5mln - $2mln range. So priorities are KIDS HAPPINESS, EDUCATION, BEAUTY (architecture & nature). Family of 5. Kids aged 8,6,3. boy/boy/girl.

Really appreciate suggestions!!

[usmcfamily]

Originally Posted by CAtoCT

I'm moving from little-known Piedmont, CA (SF Bay) to Fairfield County, CT for a job in Greenwich, CT. We are looking for a coastal town that is all about the kids and their schools. Parent involvement! A tight community with lots of love, education, plus a little sports & beach activity on the weekend is all we seek. We prefer old homes and are in the $1.5mln - $2mln range. So priorities are KIDS HAPPINESS, EDUCATION, BEAUTY (architecture & nature). Family of 5. Kids aged 8,6,3. boy/boy/girl.

Really appreciate suggestions!!

Westport! Beautiful upscale town with top schools, Compo Beach, a great downtown and everything imaginable for kids. Parents very involved and Staples High School is one of the top ranked in the state.

If you don't want to commute ,Greenwich is also beautiful, on the water with good schools. Not familiar with many people there now, so can't speak for parental involvement, although I would assume it has what you are looking for. Good luck!

[andthentherewere3]

I'd also like to recommend Darien. It has everything that you are looking for. It's a very nice small, upscale family-oriented town.

[weesy68]

I second Westport, tons of families, wonderful schools, beautiful houses, lovely waterfront and walkable village center. (ps If you are looking for a nanny, I'm available in Sept!).

[MsFancyPants]

Coming from San Francisco, you may not have sticker shock, but just know that all of the towns mentioned are extremely expensive.

[YankeesGiantsRangersNYK]

I recomend my hometown....

Weston!

[CAtoCT]

Thanks everyone! We're flying out to see those towns mentioned - Westport, Darien & Greenwich- and thought we'd add Southport(Fairfield) to the visit. "Historic area" zoning appears to be working to preserve the old homes. Southport/Fairfield opinions anyone? Does it have great schools/kids/parent involvement/architecture/beauty/beaches). Westport question - LOVE everything but all the newer construction. Raveis.com shows only a couple of old homes for sale but pages of new construction. I'm in the camp that 1900 brick colonials are better than 1999 ones. This is soo helpful! (the original post was my first ever on any forum...Good stuff!)

[usmcfamily]

Southport is a section of Fairfield. Both are also great places to live imo. Great schools, shopping, beaches, tons for the kiddies. The only thing that would hold me back would be the commute to Greenwich. The commute will be horrendous. I would look first at Greenwich and Darien before looking further north simply to avoid the commute. But yes, all the towns you mentioned meet your criteria.

[CAtoCT]

usmcfamily - thank you. That's great to know on the commute! On a map Greenwich and Southport/FF look close engough, but I'm guessing 95 is brutal in rush hour. I was thinking of taking the train from SouthPort to Greenwich, but I know there's more to it than that (drive to station. snowshoe to office etc). I guess being so far from NY, Greenwich etc is why money goes a little further in FF, too.

[kidyankee764]

If you like old homes, you might also consider Wilton. It's away from the water but is a nice suburb with excellent schools.

Fairfield is decent and is much more modest than the other towns. You will get more house for your money in FFLD/Southport, too.